UMC Announces McGuigan as Head Tennis Coach

CROOKSTON, Minn. – University of Minnesota Crookston Director of Athletics Stephanie Helgeson announced the hiring of Ryan McGuigan as head tennis coach for the Golden Eagles. Ryan is currently a tennis instructor at Choice Health and Fitness in Grand Forks, N.D. and was captain of the ww.gUniversity of North Dakota men’s tennis team from 2012-14.

“We are very excited to add Ryan as head tennis coach at Minnesota Crookston,” Helgeson said. “He brings an extensive knowledge of the game and a wealth of experience as a Division I player. In addition, as a former student-athlete he knows what it takes to be a successful on and off the tennis court.”

In addition to working as a tennis instructor at Choice Health and Fitness, McGuigan has been a tennis manager and tennis instructor for the Fargo Park District, a tennis coach for Fargo Public Schools and a Pro Shop Assistant at Courts Plus Community Fitness in Fargo, N.D.

McGuigan played No. 1 and 2 singles for UND last season, as well as No. 2 doubles for North Dakota and Coach Tom Wynne. As a player, McGuigan was also very involved from a leadership standpoint as a
member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Prior to transferring to UND, McGuigan was treasurer of the North Dakota State University club tennis team. In the classroom, he earned the Big Sky Conference Scholar-Athlete award in 2014 and was a University of North Dakota Scholar-Athlete of the Year finalist. In addition, McGuigan was a Big Sky Conference Spring All-Academic Team member in 2013 and 2014. He also earned the Bryce and June Streibel Aviation Scholarship Award.

The Fargo, N.D. native earned his Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics with a Major in Air Traffic control and a minor in psychology from the University of North Dakota in December of 2013. In addition, he earned his private pilot’s certificate from the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. McGuigan currently lives in Grand Forks, N.D.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

Fans Invited to see Little Brown Jug at TCF Bank Stadium

The University of Minnesota football team beat Michigan 30-14 on Saturday to reclaim the Little Brown Jug from the Wolverines. The rivalry trophy has been played for since the early 1900s and Minnesota’s win on Saturday was the Gophers’ first victory against Michigan since 2005. It was also Minnesota’s fourth win against Michigan since 1968 and 23rd overall with the Jug on the line.



Gopher fans are invited to see the Little Brown Jug from 5:30 – 8 p.m. on Oct. 1 and 2 at the T. Denny Sanford Athletics Hall of Fame at TCF Bank Stadium. Fans are encouraged to park in the MAROON Lot adjacent to the stadium and then access the Hall of Fame through the Benton County entrance

NDSU’s Emanuel Added to Buck Buchanan Award Watch List

PHILADELPHIA - North Dakota State defensive end Kyle Emanuel was added to the Buck Buchanan Award watch list Tuesday, Sept. 30.  The award will be presented by The Sports Network at the FCS awards banquet Dec. 15 to the nation's most outstanding defensive player.

Emanuel, a senior from Schuyler, Neb., already has 8.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks through four games after totaling 10.0 TFLs and 7.5 sacks last season.  He has 21 total tackles, two forced fumbles, three quarterback hurries and two pass breakups.

Emanuel impressed with 4.0 tackles for loss including a pair of sacks and a forced fumble in the season-opening win at Iowa State.  He had 3.0 sacks and a forced fumble that led to the go-ahead touchdown in the Week 2 victory at Weber State.

Emanuel ranks sixth in the FCS and leads the Missouri Valley Football Conference with 1.25 sacks per game.  He is eighth nationally and third in the conference with 2.1 tackles for loss per game.  NDSU's defense ranks second in the FCS in points allowed and third in total defense.

NDSU strong safety Colten Heagle, a preseason selection, remains on the Buchanan watch list with 18 other FCS players.  Indiana State defensive end Connor Underwood was the only other addition to the list.  Missouri State strong safety Caleb Schaffitzel is the only other MVFC player on the list, and Montana defensive end Zack Wagenmann is the only other Bison opponent listed.

The Buck Buchanan Award watch list can undergo revision during the season. Ballots will be sent to a national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season.

The Sports Network also presents the Walter Payton, Jerry Rice and Eddie Robinson awards. The Payton Award honors the outstanding player in the FCS, the Rice Award goes to the FCS freshman of the year and the Robinson Award is bestowed upon the FCS coach of the year.

Fordam linebacker Stephen Hodge and Southeast Louisiana cornerback Harlan Miller were dropped from the Buchanan watch list.

2014 Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List - September 30 revision
Quinn Backus, LB, Coastal Carolina
Tony Bell, LB, Tennessee-Martin
James Cowser, DE, Southern Utah
Kyle Emanuel, DE, North Dakota State
Daniel Fitzpatrick, SS, Tennessee State
Jacob Hagen, FS, Liberty
Ronnie Hamlin, LB, Eastern Washington
Colten Heagle, SS, North Dakota State
Zach Hodges, DE, Harvard
OJ Mau, NG, Gardner-Webb
Troy Moore, DT, Sacred Heart
Mike Reilly, DE, William & Mary
Caleb Schaffitzel, SS, Missouri State
Tye Smith, CB, Towson
Jaquiski Tartt, FS, Samford
Lynden Trail, OLB, Norfolk State
Davis Tull, DE, Chattanooga
Connor Underwood, DE, Indiana State
Zack Wagenmann, DE, Montana
Jonathan Woodard, DE, Central Arkansas

Stevie Keller Named Interim Head Coach for NDSU Women’s Track & Field and Cross Country

FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State University athletic department announced today that longtime Bison assistant track & field coach Stevie Keller has been elevated to serve as interim head coach for the women’s track & field and cross country programs.

Keller began his coaching career at NDSU as a graduate assistant in 2000 and recently completed his 14th year on the staff. He was promoted to associate head coach of women’s and men’s track & field in August 2008.

Ryun Godfrey, who spent 15 years as head coach of the Bison program, announced on Tuesday, Sept. 23, that he had accepted a position at Kansas State University.

“I am pleased to announce that Stevie Keller has accepted the responsibility of serving as the interim head women’s cross country and track and field coach, effective immediately,” said NDSU director of women’s athletics Lynn Dorn. “This move ensures continuity and stability for our very successful program. Well-suited to lead, Coach Keller possesses a wealth of coaching experience and knowledge. He is well-respected by his colleagues, peers and the student-athletes alike.”

Keller will be leading a program that has won three straight Summit League ‘Triple Crowns’, sweeping the league’s cross country, indoor and outdoor titles in each of the last three years. The Bison have won all 14 Summit League track and field team titles since joining the league prior to the 2008 season.

“We have a great group of student-athletes who are highly motivated to continue the rich tradition of North Dakota State track and field,” said Keller. “Our coaching staff has a tremendous passion and knowledge of the sport of track and field, which will help us make a seamless transition.”

In his tenure at NDSU, Keller has directed the Bison to unprecedented success in the multi-events, hurdles and pole vault. Since NDSU gained full Division I status in 2008, Keller’s student-athletes have built an impressive list of accomplishments. In all, Keller-coached athletes have earned 191 All-Summit League honors and 68 Summit League titles over the past seven seasons.

Keller has mentored six Bison athletes to a combined 11 All-America honors since 2009, including Whitney Carlson, Leslie Brost, Deborah John and Andy Lillejord in the last four seasons.

NFF Names NDSU’s Thorton Campbell Trophy Semifinalist

IRVING, Texas - The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame today announced North Dakota State senior linebacker Esley Thorton from Bismarck, N.D., as one of 167 semifinalists for the 2014 William V. Campbell Trophy®, presented by Fidelity Investments® and hosted at the New York Athletic Club, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2014.

The award recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation, and up to 16 of the candidates will be named recipients of a prestigious NFF National Scholar-Athlete Award, also presented by Fidelity Investments. Launched in 1959, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete program awards $18,000 scholarships that can be used for the honorees’ postgraduate educations. This year’s recipients will be announced Oct. 30, and one will be declared the winner of the Campbell Trophy Dec. 9 at the 57th NFF Annual Awards Dinner.

Named in honor of Bill Campbell, the chairman of Intuit, former player and head coach at Columbia University and the 2004 recipient of the NFF’s Gold Medal, the award comes with a 25-pound bronze trophy and increases the amount of the recipient’s grant by $7,000 for a total post-graduate scholarship of $25,000. A total distribution of $300,000 in scholarships will be awarded at the NFF Annual Awards Dinner, pushing the program’s all-time distributions to more than $10.7 million.

“These 167 impressive candidates truly represent the scholar-athlete ideal,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. “It is important for us to showcase their success on the football field, in the classroom and in the community. This year’s semifinalists further illustrate the power of our great sport in developing the next generation of influential leaders.”

Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.

2014 William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalists
Football Bowl Subdivision
Alabama - Arie Kauandjio
Arizona - Jared Tevis
Arizona State - Taylor Kelly
Arkansas - Alan D'Appollonio
Army - Terry Baggett
Baylor - Troy Baker
Buffalo - Lee Skinner
BYU - Kevin O'Mary
California - Chris Adcock
Central Florida - Sean Beckton
Central Michigan - Michael Kinville
Colorado - Will Oliver
Colorado State - Kivon Cartwright
Connecticut - Adam Mueller
Duke - David Helton
East Carolina - Warren Harvey
Eastern Michigan - Lincoln Hansen
Georgia - Chris Conley
Georgia Southern - Garrett Frye
Indiana - Mark Murphy
Iowa - Mark Weisman
Iowa State - Jacob Gannon
Kansas State - Tyler Lockett
Kent State - Nate Vance
Kentucky - Tyler Brause
Memphis - Charles Harris
Michigan - Desmond Morgan
Michigan State - Mike Sadler
Middle Tennessee State - Leighton Gasque
Minnesota - Tommy Olson
Mississippi - Deterrian Shackelford
Missouri - Matt Hoch
Nebraska - Mark Pelini
North Carolina State - Tyler Purvis
Northern Illinois - Robert Sterling
Northwestern - Brandon Vitabile
Notre Dame - Cam McDaniel
Ohio - Josh Kristoff
Old Dominion - Josh Mann
Penn State - Sam Ficken
Purdue - Justin Sinz
Rice - Dylan Klare
Rutgers - David Milewski
San Jose State - Vince Buhagiar
SMU - Stephon Sanders
South Alabama - Jesse Kelley
South Carolina - Damiere Byrd
Southern Mississippi - Corey Acosta
Stanford - Jordan Richards
Syracuse - Sam Rodgers
TCU - Geoff Hooker
Texas  - Nate Boyer
Texas A&M - Josh Lambo
Texas Tech - Bradley Marquez
Toledo - Greg Mancz
Tulane - Sam Scofield
Utah - Eric Rowe
UTSA - Nate Leonard
Wake Forest - Jordan Garside
West Virginia - Michael Molinari
Wisconsin - Michael Trotter
Wyoming - Stuart Williams
 
Football Championship Subdivision
Alabama State - Edward Mosley
Austin Peay State - Ben Campbell
Brown - Dan Giovacchini
Bucknell - Derek Maurer
Campbell - Adam Lutz
Charleston Southern - Christian Reyes
Dayton - Will Bardo
Delaware - Laith Wallschleger
Eastern Kentucky - Caleb Watkins
Fordham - Brett Biestek
Georgetown - Alec May
Harvard - Michael Mancinelli
Holy Cross - Sam Jones
Idaho State - Austin Graves
Illinois State - Chris Highland
Incarnate Word - Casey Jennings
Jacksonville State - Max Holcombe
Lamar - Keith Curran
Lehigh - Josh Parris
Liberty - Mitch Hanson
Missouri State - Caleb Schaffitzel
Montana - Shay Smithwick-Hann
Montana State - Cole Moore
New Hampshire - Rob Bowman
Nicholls State - Cole Frazier
North Dakota State - Esley Thorton
Northern Arizona - Austin Hasquet
Northern Iowa - David Johnson
Sam Houston State - Keshawn Hill
San Diego - Troy McClelland
South Dakota State - Zach Zenner
Southern Illinois - Corey Boemer
Tennessee at Chattanooga - Nick Pollard
Wagner - Trevor Loveland
Western Carolina - Richard Sigmon
William & Mary - John Carpenter
Yale - Tyler Varga
 
Division II
Angelo State (Texas) - Rush Seaver
Azusa Pacific (Calif.) - Kalvin Davis
Bentley (Mass.) - Danny Guadagnoli
Brevard (N.C.) - Andre Overholt
Carson-Newman (Tenn.) - William Alderman
Chadron State (Neb.) - Sam Parker
Colorado State-Pueblo - Chris Bonner
Concordia, St. Paul (Minn.) - Thomas Obarski
East Stroudsburg (Pa.) - Bryan Thomson
Eastern New Mexico - Seth Bailey
Edinboro (Pa.) - Cody Harris
Henderson State (Ark.) - Kevin Rodgers
LIU-Post (N.Y.) - Steven Laurino
Newberry (S.C.) - AJ Booker
Ohio Dominican - Mark Miller
Pittsburg State (Kan.) - Keeston Terry
Shippensburg (Pa.) - Brian Sourbor
South Dakota Mines and Tech. - Sam Cowan
Southern Connecticut State - Jack Mallis
Southwest Minnesota State - Charlie Kern
Stonehill (Mass.) - Brian Harrington
Tarleton State (Texas) - Charles Moore
Wayne State (Mich.) - Thom Box
Wingate  (N.C.) - Will Poteat
Winona State  (Minn.) - Ryan Gerts
 
Division III
Allegheny (Pa.) - Jesse Battaglia
Bates (Maine) - David Kurey
Bethel (Minn.) - Josh Treimer
Case Western (Ohio) - Sean Lapcevic
Concordia (Wisc.) - Austin Damaschke
Gallaudet (D.C.) - Nico Santiago
Grinnell (Iowa) - David Ternes
Hardin-Simmons (Texas) - Bryce Johnson
Heidelberg (Ohio) - Austin Hunter
Hendrix (Ark.) - Casey Caton
Hobart (N.Y.) - Troy Robinson
Hope (Mich.) - Kirby Crook
Illinois College - Michael Bates
Johns Hopkins (Md.) - Michael Longo
Juniata (Pa.) - Ethan Wilt
Kenyon (Ohio) - Nick Gasbarro
King's (Pa.) - Daniel Kempa
Lycoming (Pa.) - Craig Needhammer
Manchester (Ind.) - Collin Huffine
Monmouth (Ill.) - Jake Wilson
Mount Union (Ohio) - Kevin Burke
Northwestern-St. Paul (Minn.) - Josh Sinnen
Ohio Wesleyan - Calvin Cagney
Redlands (Calif.) - Aaron Hinkle
Rowan (N.J.) - Chris Alvarez
Saint John's (Minn.) - J.T. Ford
Trinity (Conn.) - Mike Mancini
Washington & Jefferson (Pa.) - John Wanner
Wisconsin-Eau Claire - Dalton Evertz
Wisconsin-Oshkosh - Beau Steffens
Wisconsin-Stout - Tyler Naatz
Wisconsin-Whitewater - Brady Grayvold
Wittenberg (Pa.) - Clay Mangen

NAIA
Bethel (Kan.) - Seth Tarrent
Carroll (Mont.) - Sean Condon
Central Methodist (Mo.) - Luke Mayer
Cumberland (Tenn.) - Reed Gurchiek
Dakota State (S.D.) - Zach Ely
Montana Western - Jesse McCloud
Nebraska Wesleyan - Seth Wardyn
Northwestern (Iowa) - Levi Dykshorn
Peru State (Neb.) - Tyler Ford
William Penn (Iowa) - Evan Ressler